Hiring freeze cramps plan for Henderson DNA lab

By Dave Clark

Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 | 3:10 p.m.

Despite netting a $411,000 grant from the federal Justice Department to house its own DNA lab, the Henderson Police Department is temporarily shelving the project in light of a hiring freeze instituted by the city.

The DNA lab would have required one DNA technical leader and two DNA analysts.

"We have a critical need to begin conducting our own DNA testing," Henderson Police spokesman Keith Paul said. "By having our own DNA analysis capability, we would be able to process the samples more efficiently and in much greater numbers."

He said studies have shown that processing samples from all types of crimes, including burglary, are more efficient than fingerprinting alone. Currently, Metro Police processes the majority of DNA samples for Henderson Police.

Despite the budgetary setback, Paul said, Henderson Police officials still want to open their own DNA lab in the current forensic laboratory — a proposition more likely when the economy improves. Department officials still hope to use the funding in some form.

"We are talking with the federal government to determine if we can change the terms of the grant to use the funding for DNA testing through outside laboratories instead of purchasing DNA equipment," Paul said.

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].